05-03-21 From the Chancellor

Dear UAS Community, 

With the close of the 20/21 academic year, I want to thank each and every one of you for all of the work you have done this difficult year.  You are making UAS stronger every day. 

We continue to focus on our enrollment and retention, and our numbers are looking positive for fall.  With the talk of merger behind us, although we continue to face budget constraints, I believe UAS has the opportunity to grow and continue to be a vital part of Southeast Alaska.

We continue to meet on our Alaska Native Success Initiative and the College of Education.  President Pitney has several groups that continue to meet and she will be making some decisions in the near future.  You will hear more when the Board of Regents meet at the beginning of June.  Starting in the fall, I will be revitalizing the Cultural and Equity Committee, and we will be searching for a new provost.  I am hoping that we have a new Dean of Arts and Sciences starting this summer as well.

My goal is that we are all back on campus in the fall, because I miss you! There is still discussion at the statewide level about vaccination requirements, masks, and social distancing.  I will keep you posted.  There is also a committee discussing working from home for staff.  Their work should be done by August.

I hope everyone will take some time off.  You have worked very hard and you deserve time for self and family care.  Do something that makes you smile.  And… let’s all hope we get lots of sun this summer!

Please feel free to reach out to me at any time.  I work for you.